James McClean got the ball rolling for Sunderland after just three minutes against Reading (Picture: PA)

Sunderland recorded their first home win since September to ease the growing pressure on manager Martin O’Neill.

First-half goals from James McClean and Steven Fletcher and a late strike from Stephane Sessegnon lifted the Black Cats out of the relegation zone but heaped more misery on Reading, who are now six points adrift of safety and just two points above bottom side QPR.